Startling NYC Parking Ticket Data & Performance Statistics

Here’s the NYC parking ticket data

I spent a good part of my morning (starting at 6 a.m.) reviewing the shock and awe-inspiring data of the wacky world of NYC parking tickets. The information was published in the MMR (Mayor’s Management Report), and the CAFR (Controller’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report)

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (“CAFR”)

The Office of the Comptroller publishes real and budgeted parking fine revenues in the CAFR. NYC fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30. Parking fine figures include the Red Light Camera Monitoring Program.

Actual revenues for NYC parking fines totaled an astounding $604,050,097 in 2010; up from 2009 parking fine revenues of $594,958,818. The big but is, anticipated parking fine revenue was estimated at $686,181,943 in 2010, and modified down to $607,864,000. In other words, NYC missed its revenue target for NYC parking ticket fines by a whole bunch of money.

Mayor Bloomberg’s Management Report Fiscal 2010 (“MMR”)

Finance Department and other NYC agency data and performance statistics are detailed in the MMR. For example,

Parking summons (tickets) issued in 2010 totaled 10,709,000; up from 10,662,000 in 2009 (How many trees died for our parking sins?)

Average time to issue decision for NYC parking ticket hearing-by-mail/web (prior to new, faster, on-line hearing): 36.2 days

Average time to issue decision for parking ticket appeals: 11 days

Average time to issue refunds for parking tickets, appeals and towing charges: 15 days

Commentary

NYC parking tickets is a major cash cow for the City that never sleeps (now we know why). Imagine running a business enterprise with revenues in excess of $600M, where you have police officers, tow trucks, and NYC marshals to collect your debt.

It is interesting to note the average turn-around time for parking ticket hearings is 25 minutes, once the hearing begins. This figure does not include wait time.

I have yet to receive an NYC parking ticket hearing-by-mail decision within 36.2 days. It generally takes 2-3 months. How about you?

I’m wondering why the projected NYC parking ticket revenue was off by so many buckeroos from the real revenue generated by parking ticket fines. Any thoughts on the subject?